accident recourse

[Brett Dikeman <brett@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net>]

Well, some @#$%! idiot hit me in the local parking lot 2 days ago.  We both
backed out straight, a parked car between us, and he cut his wheel and
slammed his rear corner into my rear corner.

I came away a hell of a lot better than he did; he broke a taillight lens
and got a rear panel dent(added to many others on the car already.)  He was
driving a 1983 baaS 900.  My only damage was rubber scuffed onto my bumper
corner and 4 deep scratches under the bumper.  Considering it's black under
the paint, and the paint is black, I did ok.  Still, it's fairly
visible(deep cuts) and really, really pisses me off.

However, this @sshole decides, after asking me "are you all right?" to jump
back in his car and take off.  I call the police, give them his license
plate number(he had a hard time making a quick getaway with all the town
traffic that wouldn't let him out of the parking lot :)

They mosey on over, look my car over, get the details, tell me to come back
the next day to file a report.

Several questions:

-the officer wouldn't tell me if he was cited for a hit+run(but he
mentioned the type of possible charge, not me.)  Is hit+run only applicable
when someone is injured(hence the cute little "are you all right" question?)

-what recourse do I have for the damage to my car?  Albiet, it's minor, but
the asshole took off and that pisses me off, like he didn't give a shit, so
I want to nail him for it(and I don't exactly have the money right now to
repaint/cover my bumper.)

-Do I _have_ to file an accident report?  The cop said to file it with the
town and the RMV, but didn't say I _had_ to.  The moron who ran away
certainly didn't fill one out...

-Is leaving the scene of an accident an admission of guilt in the cause of
the accident?  I know saying "I'm sorry" can be considered so...

Any advice/help?  The officer said the insurance co can find out if he was
cited or not, but I can't.  I _do_ have, from page 1 of the officer's
report(page 2 is "top secret" I guess) the moron's name, address, age,
license number, and insurance company.

Will my insurance co handle this?  The other big thing is that, having just
recieved a VERY healthy discount(several hundred $) for 3 year's safe
driving, I'd VERY much rather not loose it.  Could I loose it if I report
it to the insurance co?  I can't remember if you loose your discount if
you're not at fault.

BTW, accident was in MA and both parties are MA residents.

Thx!

Brett

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Brett Dikeman
brett@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net
~)-|
Hostes alienigeni me abduxerunt.  Qui annus est?
Te audire non possum.  Musa sapientum fixa est in aure.
Ita, scio hunc 'sig file' veterem fieri.
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